Page 36 of Not Until I Found You

“You know, Zane should go with you. He’s a pro when it comes to hiking,” Ryland states, winking at me once Maxinne looks back down at her shoes.

I give Ryland a look that silently says, “Dude, what are you doing to me?”

She must sense my hesitation because she quickly waves it off. “Oh, I couldn’t ask him to do that. I’m sure I can figure it out myself.”

I’ve spent years wandering these mountains, and there are plenty of places where a wrong turn can add several miles to a hike before you even realize you’re lost. The idea of her heading out there by herself doesn’t sit right with me. I’d never hear the end of it if Ashton found out I let his sister get stranded somewhere. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Maybe after today, I can find her a hiking buddy to go with her.

“I don’t mind helping. Really. It’ll be easier, and safer, if you have the right gear and guide. You don’t need to do it all on your own.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. “You’d do that?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Sure. We all need a little help from time to time.”

She hesitates then nods, a distracting smile tugging at her lips. “Okay. I guess that would be nice. Thank you.”

I give her a nod and glance at Ryland, who’s watching us with a smirk. He’s clearly reading more into this situation than I want him to be.

“I’ll go get the rest of my things,” she announces before making her way back to Ashton’s cabin, Sven following closely behind her.

Ryland pats me on the back. “You’re welcome.”

“Welcome for what?”

“Oh, you know.”

“No, I don’t.”

“I was only trying to help. I can sense the vibes between you two.” He gives me a knowing grin.

“Just because there are vibes doesn’t mean anything can come from it.” I shake my head, and heat creeps up my neck.

“And yet you willingly offered to help her out. That’s so sweet of you,” he teases.

I bop Ryland on the back of his head. “You know better than to butt into my…whatever this is.”

He holds up his hands in surrender. “Alright.” He tosses me my keys. “I guess you can have your truck back now that mine seems to be running.”

“Next time it breaks down, you can borrow someone else’s truck,” I tease.

“Yeah, yeah,” he chuckles before sliding into the driver’s seat. “Will we see you at church Wednesday for small groups and then for dinner on Thursday?”

“Yeah, I’ll be at both.”

“Maybe you can invite Maxinne,” he adds casually.

I nod, and he waves before shutting the door and driving down the driveway. His truck slowly disappears over the hill, and a quiet sort of satisfaction settles over me. Vibes or not, I know I did the right thing by offering to help Maxinne.

I ease my truck into the Trail and Tackle’s parking lot and cut the engine.

“Let’s get you some better gear,” I say.

Before Maxinne can reach for the door handle, I’m already out and circling around to her side. My mother raised me to be a gentleman; opening a door for a woman isn’t a habit I plan on breaking, especially not with someone riding in my truck.

When I swing the door open, Maxinne glances at me, a glimmer of surprise in her eyes before her lips curve into a small, appreciative smile. “Thank you.”

I nod once, stepping back so she can hop down.

“Anytime.” I hold the door a second longer than necessary before leading her inside.